Falmouth Doubles Down On Wind Turbine Failures

Falmouth Wind Turbine Move 2 Years Out Lots of Money

Falmouth homeowners living nearby the town-owned “Wind 1” and “Wind 2″ turbines have argued that moving the turbines would alleviate problems such as hearing loss, nausea, and sleep disorders to dizziness, blood pressure, tinnitus and more.

The town had been warned in writing prior to construction that the turbines generate 110 decibels of chest pounding noise. Multiple Massachusetts court ruling in June of 2017 shut down the two nuisance wind turbines.

The matter of what would happen to nearly $5 million received in a federal, American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, grant/loan for the turbines is also a concern because it’s unclear as ARRA funds are not available if they pose a risk to the public interest in areas ranging from consumer safety and environmental damage.

An alternate site for the wind turbines could be about three miles northeast of the turbines at the Massachusetts Military Reservation. The Cape Cod Commission ruled in 2011 that homes should not be within a 2700 foot radius of a one-megawatt wind turbine. There are no studies for two-megawatt wind turbines operating at the same time

The Falmouth Select Board asked in January of 2019 to create an RFP, Request for Proposal to move the turbines. It looks as though even if Falmouth officials found a perfect alternate spot, the moving process could take years and cost millions.

According to engineers if the turbines were moved, the permitting process would have to start all over again, requiring the town to take the same steps it took during the seven years it took to get them up and running including many overlooked documents including maps, emails, and letters.

Any new location would need approval from boards concerned with wildlife, natural heritage, and historic value, among others. The environmental assessment alone could probably take about two years.

The cost of moving the turbines in 2013 to a different location was $4.48 million. That cost does not include the new underground electric infrastructure and permitting with the local electric company.

"Commercial wind is a bunco scheme of enormous consequence. The people who value intellectual honesty should not quietly be fleeced by such mendacity, even from their government officials."

Take down the wind turbines